ABOUT OUR OYSTER SHELLS

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Oysters in whitstable are grown on oyster beds that are out of the water at low tide and can be tended and farmed. The shells we use are thoroughly cleaned several times to ensure a perfect product. All oyster shells are natural and unique in appearance and colour and can include barnacles. Oysters are bivalve molluscs that are popular for their delicate flavour and are commonly enjoyed as a seafood delicacy. They are typically found in saltwater and freshwater habitats around the world.   In the UK we have various locations where oysters are farmed.

 

The size of oysters can vary depending on their location and the specific species. Factors such as water temperature, nutrient availability, and environmental conditions can all influence the size of oysters in different regions. Generally, oysters from colder waters tend to grow more slowly and have a smaller size compared to those from warmer waters. In addition, different oyster species have varying growth rates and maximum sizes. For example, Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) are known for their larger size compared to Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). The specific conditions in their respective habitats, such as salinity levels and food availability, also play a role in determining the size of oysters.

 

 We take the cleaning of the oyster shells seriously! So they are soaked for two days before being scrubbed with bristle brushes then rinsed three times. After this, they are dried in a warmer oven for up to 6 hours to completely dry them out when they are ready to be painted ! 

 

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ABOUT HELEN

Im sure Im not the only one that wants to know how a business started, why they do what they do. Starting a business is not easy, no one said it would be and  having solid reasons builds a solid business!  I remind myself everyday where I have been and where I am now!

    CAKE DESIGNER DISNEY

    I started out being a cake designer. I made cakes for Disney, wrote books about making cakes, sugar modelling, made wedding, birthday, christening and was a whizz at modelling... The image here is one of my Disney cakes, the front cover.  

    8 YEARS IN SPAIN

    When my youngest was 10, he was getting to be a great tennis player but it was interfering with his schoolwork so we decided to take him to a tennis academy in Spain, train there and homeschool.

     I tried to continue my cake business but with mixed results. The delivery time of day was tough... delivering 1\2 way up a mountainside at 9pm at night with no streetlights and more importantly no cliffside barriers was the final straw and I folded the business.

    But, not the kind of person to sit at the side of the tennis court twiddling my thumbs I thought about what would be a net step. I loved making cakes, being creative. I tried making cloth bags, interesting but not captivating. I noticed that I was having trouble with my skin... the sun, the water, so much dryness that I decided to try making a more moisturising soap.... and My Cottage Cosmetics was born! 

    Whilst still living in Spain I worked on formulations for soap, hand cream, body butter, moisturisers but with very specific parameters in mind. It must remain artisan using traditional methods, no chemicals, all plant based, vegan, no plastic, probiotic. 

    As time went on I had some robust formulations. 

    Then covid struck, we had to return to the UK and in some ways this was when my business could take shape. I complied with UK cosmetic regulations in that my formulations were toxicologically and laboratory tested so I could start selling!

     We are a small business in Harrietsham, at the bottom of the North Downs. We are so lucky to live and work in such a beautiful area and due to this we have been inspired by nature to create skincare and homeware products that do not harm our environment. We create probiotic skincare for Men and Women - face, body, and foot moisturiser, handcreams, deodorants, natural perfumes and soaps alongside oyster shell soap dishes that are made using the byproducts of the oyster shell industry in Whitstable so we have recycled them into elegant soap dishes for our probiotic soaps. 

    We sell in the UK and USA at fairs and festivals, pop up shops, The Refinery (Canterbury) with many more opportunities on the horizon! 



    WHAT VALUES DO WE UPHOLD?

    OUR INGREDIENTS  We use various oils and butters, many of which are sourced in the UK and every check is made to ensure these are not tested on animals and are 100% plant based and vegan.

    NATURAL PROBIOTICS: We use natural probiotics in all our skincare products, making our caffeine free kombucha using the springwater from the North Downs and then following through with production of the soap, handcream, moisturisers. 

    BOTANICALS. Our products have further botanicals added that are  a powerful addition to skincare, providing natural, plant-derived benefits that can support healthy skin.

    CERTIFICATIONS Many ingredients are COSMOS certified organic. 

    PRODUCT TESTING: All our products are toxicologically tested with chemists to ensure that we are both fully compliant to UK, US and EU regulations and also fully laboratory tested as we use only plant based ingredients including natural preservatives in our products containing springwater. 

    INGREDIENT CHOICES. The benefits and origins of our ingredients are explained in more detail on the 'About Pages'  and this shows how they  contribute not just to skin health but also to the planet's well-being.

    ECO-FRIENDLY PACKAGING  We use biodegradable, recyclable, or reusable materials such as glass containers, recycleable cardboard, aluminium and recycled bottles.

    MINIMAL PACKAGING: We have reduced unnecessary packaging to help limit the environmental impact. The packaging we use is all biodegradable including the cellulose cellophane wrapping our soaps. 

    LOCAL SOURCING: When possible, we source raw materials locally as much as possible, such as our glass bottles. 

    GREEN MANUFACTURING PROCESSES: We use eco-friendly, energy-efficient traditional artisan production methods, choosing to use traditional moulds etc. We have solar panels for our power and 9 months of the year this is our only source of power during those times. We also use electric transportation.

    FULL INGREDIENT DISCLOSURE: We provide full details on what’s in your formulations so that you know exactly what we are putting in our products. We do not use words like fragrance but explain exactly what we do. All our products contain 100% plant based ingredients, right down to our preservatives, colours and scents.

    BEHIND THE SCENES We show how your products are made, from ingredient farming to packaging and shipping. We document the journey of your products giving you an insight our commitment to transparency.

     

    We pride ourselves in our sustainability whilst producing amazing quality in our products. Natural skincare has become a thing in recent years and it is hard to stand out in a market that is saturated with natural skincare products, which is why we have decided to state our business here, being transparent in all areas, and include the use of probiotics within the natural skincare range.